The introduction of something new: a new idea, method, or device (merriam-webster.com). To make changes in anything established (Random House Dictionary 2013). The Gospel message never changes but the methods and strategies of how we deliver it does. We cannot continue to advance using yesterday’s technology.
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth…” (Isaiah 43:18-19).
The LA Times article: News Corp. sells MySpace for $35 million reported the demise of what was at one time the world’s dominant social media network. The article details how Rupert Murdock bought the site in 2006 for $580 million, and then sold it June 30, 2011 for $35 million, while its valuation at one time had been nearly $65 billion. “Myspace's decline—hastened by its failure to match the innovations of its chief rival, Facebook, speaks to what can happen when a mainstream media company seeks to capture technological lightning in a bottle” (Dawn C. Chmielewski and Jessica Guynn).
“…until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4).
Don’t underestimate the value of good ideas
Successful businesses place high value on innovation. One good idea (God idea) for a new outreach oriented sermon series, a new strategy for making disciples, training leaders, running effective small group ministries or raising funds can be the key to your breakthrough. God has all kinds of great income producing ideas, church growth ideas, church planting ideas, leadership development and world mission’s ideas and He wants to share them with us.
“I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions” (Proverbs 8:12 KJV)
Three things that will help you to be more innovative:
1. Ask God questions about the specific problems or opportunities you face. This will help prepare your heart for an answer and help you to recognize it as an answer when it comes. Good ideas come from God, so let’s ask Him for one. The world has been blessed by those who did.
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” . Jeremiah 33:3).
2. Expand your thinking power. God gave us a brain, so let’s use it. Let’s expand it so we can recognize and take hold of the God ideas available to us. Take time to think about ways of doing things better. Ask yourself: “how can I do it better.” To become a good thinker, do more thinking. Great thinking comes from good, focused thinking; and once the ideas start flowing, they get better. Once they get better, creative, innovative ideas flood your mind. Make your mind work!
3. Create an atmosphere where people are not afraid to share their ideas. Most of the best ideas come from a team environment. It’s called Creative Collaboration!
Creative people encourage and provoke others to think outside of the box (Proverbs 27:17). As a leader I know I don’t have to come up with all the ideas I just need to recognize a good idea when I hear it.
One night a friend of John Kilcullen described something he overheard in a bookstore. A customer asked the clerk, “Do you have any simple books on Microsoft DOS? Something like DOS for Dummies? It was only a passing comment meant to be a joke, but it stuck with Kilcullen and he did something with it. He launched the “For Dummies” books. Some unknown customer had a good idea and it went nowhere they probably didn’t even know at the time that it was a good idea. But in the hands of a thinker, that good idea became a great idea. Then it became a bunch of ideas. The “For Dummies” books now encompass a product line of 360 titles, in 31 languages, with sales of more than 60 million copies.
The CEO of Motorola Company when it was thriving in the 1970-80s would have his key leaders come to designated meetings: and they had to have a list of 100 ideas of how Motorola could do business better. They knew that to get one good idea it sometimes takes looking through 100s of ideas. They had to show their list before they were allowed to come in. The philosophy: Only thinkers with initiative and innovative ideas allowed in here.
“Behold, I will do a new thing.... Shall you not know it?” (Isaiah 43:19)
Are you ready for your next new thing?
Yours for the Planting of Thousands of Fresh, New, Vibrant Victory Churches,
Dr George Hill
President and Founder, VCI